Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Sep 03, 2010
A new energy-saving program aimed at improving the energy efficiency of Lorain County homes has recently been launched by Columbia Gas and Raymond Plumbing is here to help you take full advantage of the program. The program will take advantage of multiple rebates and federal tax credits now being offered for energy-efficient home improvements. Many of these money-saving rebates expire at the end of the year, so Lorain County residents are urged to sign up for the Home Performance Solutions program fast.
The Home Performance Solutions program begins with an energy audit to identify where your home is wasting energy – and your hard-earned money – and target improvement areas. Lorain County homeowners will receive a detailed energy use report that specifies energy-saving tips along with estimated energy savings and applicable rebates for implementing recommended energy-efficient home improvements. Owners of gas-heated homes who use 1,000 Ccf of natural gas or more per year will profit most from this program.
For a limited time, Columbia Gas is offering Lorain County residents a complete home energy audit for just $50, a fraction of its $500 value. Generous energy efficient home improvement rebates and tax credits available through December 31, 2010, can save Lorain County homeowners as much as 70% off the cost of installing recommended home improvements.
But the savings don’t stop there. Installation of energy-efficient gas furnaces and other home improvements can reduce your natural gas use by as much as 30%, a savings you will continue to enjoy year after year. Now is the time to take advantage of multiple money-saving offers to cut your energy use and your gas bill. Contact Raymond Plumbing today for more information.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Aug 31, 2010
The power of solar energy to change the world is being demonstrated in Portugal and could serve as a model for Lorain County and the U.S. Just five years ago, this small Mediterranean nation sandwiched between Spain and the Atlantic Ocean began a concerted nationwide effort to convert the majority of its energy supplies from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Today, solar, wind and hydropower provide 45% of the electricity used in the country’s homes, offices, retail centers and factories. In a country where electricity costs twice as much as we pay in Lorain County, solar arrays are now providing cheap electric power to major metropolitan areas like Lisbon, as well as small, remote mountain villages.
How Portugal Became a “Go Green” Country
In order to accomplish such a major national energy makeover in such a short time, Portugal had to restructure energy utilities to create a dependable power grid suited to renewable energy sources. New transmission lines were built to bring solar and wind energy from remote areas to city centers. Government subsidies, long-term contracts with price protections, and financial incentives were used to lure private firms to Portugal’s growing renewable energy industry. A complex computer system was created that tracks the weather systems that fuel much of the country’s renewable energy. The system constantly adjusts the flow of electricity from myriad energy sources, directing electricity where it is needed most.
Oil Spill Pushes U.S. Towards Using Renewable Energy
The incentive to replace fossil fuel consumption with renewable energy sources is admittedly higher in Europe where countries like Portugal have few fossil fuel natural resources. The disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has emphasized the risk of relying on fossil fuels and may encourage U.S. and Lorain County government officials to do more to develop sustainable power sources. Lorain County residents can take a personal stand and cut their personal energy bill by nearly 50% by installing an energy-efficient solar water heater.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Aug 27, 2010
August may be coming to a close but summer’s heat will be with us for a while longer, warn Lorain County weather forecasters. If you haven’t converted your energy-guzzling air conditioner to a new, energy-efficient Carrier air conditioning system, there’s still time to make the change and cash in on Uncle Sam’s Tax Credit for Energy-Efficient Home Improvements. Investing in an Energy Star-rated home comfort appliance is an excellent way to put a little of that federal stimulus money into your own pocket for a change. Click here to get Raymond’s free tax credit facts sheet.
Investing in an energy-efficient Carrier Infinity, Performance or Comfort air conditioner will do more than save money on next April’s federal income taxes. An energy-efficient A/C costs less to operate than older, less efficient models. When your Lorain County air conditioning professional installs an energy-sipping air conditioner in your home or business, you’ll begin to realize significant savings on your monthly utility bill immediately. And those savings will continue for the life of the unit. In just a few years, your new air conditioner will pay for itself.
The savings generated by energy-efficient air conditioners are not just monetary. When you use energy-efficient appliances, you reduce your carbon footprint and help save the environment. All Carrier energy-efficient air conditioners use eco-friendly Puron refrigerant, not the ozone-damaging Freon used by older A/C units. With global warming increasing, record-breaking heat waves are predicted to become the summertime norm in Lorain County. Reducing your personal carbon footprint is one of the most productive personal actions you can take to protect the environment.
Energy-efficient appliances save money and save the environment. Sounds like a win-win for Lorain County residents!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Aug 25, 2010
Want to instantly cut your annual hot water costs in half? Ask your Lorain County plumbing professional to install a solar water heater in your home or business. It’s that easy.
Improve Your Carbon Footprint with a Solar Water Heater
Solar water heaters are one of the exciting, new green-energy appliances coming onto the market today. Powered by the sun, Energy Star-qualified solar water heating systems are an eco-conscious way to reduce your carbon footprint and help protect the environment. And because sunshine is free, solar water heaters are as budget-friendly as they are eco-friendly. According to statistics posted on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Star website, installing a solar water heater can cut your Lorain County water bills by 50% or more.
Despite what you may think, Lorain County gets plenty of sunshine to make installation of a solar water heater cost effective. Our gloomy winters do mean that you’ll need a backup gas or electric water heater, but the savings are still considerable. According to the Department of Energy, a typical 4-person family will save $190 annually by combining a solar water heater with a backup gas-storage water heater. Backup your solar water heater with an electric water heater and you’ll save $250 per year. Larger families that use more than the average amount of water will realize even greater savings. Over the average 20-year life of a solar water heating system, you’ll save thousands of dollars on your energy bills!
Solar Water Heaters Qualify for the Federal Tax Credit
The purchase of a solar water heating system pays for itself in 7 to 10 years. Lorain County home and business owners can recoup their investment even faster by taking advantage of Federal tax credits.
While the monetary savings are a powerful incentive to purchase a solar water heater, many Lorain County residents invest in solar power to protect the environment. Use of an energy-efficient solar-powered water heating system can cut carbon dioxide emissions in half, reducing your carbon footprint by 4,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. That’s like garaging your car for 4 months!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Aug 20, 2010
Do you have Thermostat Wars in Your Home?
Every person feels heat and cold differently. Setting your air conditioner’s thermostat at an energy-saving 75 degrees may feel pleasantly comfortable to you when you’re sitting in your Lorain County family room watching the game, but it can feel overly warm when you start running the vacuum and absolutely freezing to your visiting granny. Thermostat wars are the stuff of family legends. Who doesn’t have a grandmother who keeps cranking the heat up to 86 when she visits or an overweight Uncle Ray who sends the house into the deep freeze when he stops by? Lorain County parents are forever nagging at their kids to keep their hands off the thermostat. Hormonally-charged teens who believe in instant comfort are forever bumping the controls up or down as they go from hot to cold in what parents swear are 10 minute intervals.
Programmable Thermostats Decreases Home Energy Use, Saves You Money and Restores Peace in your Home!
Thermostat wars have been known to upset family harmony and spark more than a few unpleasant family disagreements. Programmable thermostats can put an end to your family’s thermostat wars and allow peace to reign in your Lorain County home. If you have your Lorain County heating and air conditioning professional install a programmable thermostat to regain control of your home’s temperature controls, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that installing a programmable thermostat also decreases home energy use which lowers monthly utility bills and saves you money -- a pretty nice bonus for restoring peace to your home!
Programmable thermostats allow you to set specific temperatures during different hours of the day. To save on heating bills, set the thermostat to a cooler nighttime temperature while you sleep. Save on air conditioning bills by setting the thermostat to a higher temperature when you’re away from home at work or away for the weekend. Programmable thermostats put you back in control of your home’s temperature and end thermostat wars.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Aug 09, 2010
The Number One Factor People Go Green
What motivates most companies – and people -- to go green? Interestingly, for most Americans, the No. 1 factor in adopting energy-efficient, sustainable products and practices is not a desire to improve the planet or halt global warming, it’s money! Yep, business owners and ordinary folks in Lorain County go green to save green!
A whopping 97% of American businesses ranked saving money as their primary reason for investing in energy-efficient appliances, products and systems, according to a nationwide survey of corporate energy decision-makers conducted by Johnson Controls. Other decision-making factors paled in importance to saving money when energy use was on the line. In a close tie for a distant second place were:
- Enhancing their public image or brand motivated 63% of U.S. companies to go green.
- Government and utility company rebates and incentives were cited as a motivating factor by 62% of the firms surveyed. (As many noted, another way to save money.)
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions motivated 62% of survey participants.
How Energy-efficient Home Comfort Appliances Save Money
Individual Lorain County citizens are more likely than their corporate counterparts to go green as a matter of conscience, but saving money clearly provides an undeniably huge incentive to save energy whether you’re an individual or a huge conglomerate. Federal tax credits and Ohio rebates have spurred Lorain County sales of energy-efficient heat and cooling systems, heat pumps and hot water heaters. Lorain County consumers concerned about the initial cost of investing in energy-efficient home comfort appliances will be glad to hear that investment costs are generally recouped within a few years at most. After that, energy costs plummet to zero which means that once you’ve recouped your investment, energy use is free! You can’t beat that for saving money!
Reserve Your Rebate Today
Note to Lorain County consumers: If you’ve been thinking about taking advantage of Ohio’s appliance rebate program to install an energy-efficient water heater, stop dragging your feet. The Ohio Department of Development which oversees the rebate program is considering reassigning funds earmarked for water heaters to other appliances like refrigerators and clothes washers. Don’t lose out! Reserve your Ohio rebate today and contact Raymond Plumbing to schedule installation of an energy-efficient water heater.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Aug 05, 2010
With elections in the offing, Congress appears to have tabled passage of a comprehensive energy bill until next year. Washington may still take a few politically-safe potshots at the nation’s energy appetite but a forced diet plan will have to wait for next year. That leaves individual consumers to continue doing their part to decrease energy consumption and embrace sustainable living one Lorain County family at a time.
Join Lorain County
What can Lorain County consumers do?
- Educate yourself about the energy situation.
- Learn how to make your home more energy efficient.
- Replace old appliance with energy-efficient appliances.
- Embrace sustainable lifestyle choices.
- Share what you learn with others.
Survey Shows Many Underestimate
Energy Crisis
Despite all the national news reports, cable pundit machinations and History channel doomsday documentaries, a recent survey of Chicago high school students found that the majority of Americans are woefully uneducated about the energy crisis that is affecting us all. Most people have only a vague idea of the issues surrounding the energy conundrum and the true status of America’s renewable energy. Few are conversant with the facts.
Yesterday we shared the energy survey results in our blog, Test Your Renewable Energy Smarts. Test your energy knowledge and find out if you’re smarter than a 10th grader!
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Fun At The Ohio State Fair
If you’re planning a trip to Columbus to enjoy the Ohio State Fair (going on now through August 8), be sure to stop by the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel booth in the Marketplace building. Kids will enjoy playing the Beat the Heat wheel game to test their energy knowledge. Make sure you pick up a handy info sheet; it’s filled with great energy-saving tips that will help you save energy and cash when you return to Lorain County.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Aug 04, 2010
Chicago high school students attending energy-related student leadership workshops sponsored by the Mechanical Contractors Association were surveyed to gauge their understanding of the energy problems and potential solutions that will guide America’s energy future. Conducted by Jerry Katz, president of the National Foundation for Energy Education (NFEE), the survey showed students to be optimistic about the country’s energy 
future and use of renewable energy. Unfortunately, Katz said much of the students’ optimism was based on erroneous perceptions about the current state of U.S. energy resources and not on facts. Katz noted that the student response reflects a nationwide failure to comprehend the energy issues and challenges that face the U.S. known as Mr. Energy, Katz is spearheading a national campaign called “The Great Energy Debate” to improve U.S. energy education.
Taking questions from Katz’ energy survey, we’re giving Lorain County homeowners a chance to test their energy knowledge. Here’s your opportunity to find out if you’re smarter than a 10th grader.
1. What percent of U.S. energy use is used to generate electricity?
2. How much of the petroleum used in the U.S. is imported?
3. In 20 years, what percent of U.S. cars will be powered by alternative fuels (non-gasoline)?
4. On a scale of 0 (no support) to 10 (high support), do you support drilling offshore and in Alaska? What if production royalties went earmarked for conservation and renewable energy programs?
5. How much of the country’s energy is being supplied by renewable energy sources today?
Answers
1. Students guessed 60%. The correct answer is 40%.
2. Students correctly estimated 60%.
3. Students guessed 49%. Industry analysts predict anywhere from 30% to 70%.
4. Students initially voiced just 4.9 support for offshore and Alaskan drilling, but increased support to 6.2 when royalties funded conservation and energy programs.
5. Students guessed 45%. Adults taking the survey said 14%. The correct answer is 8%.
For information on how to decrease your energy use, visit Raymond Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Aug 02, 2010
Solar power is the ultimate green resource. It creates clean energy from the sun’s rays without producing harmful byproducts or emissions. No wonder Ohio is rushing to turn itself into a solar power Mecca. Forward-thinking Lorain County homeowners, business owners and property owners are exploring the power of solar energy for they know the cost-benefit ratio will only improve over time.
Solar Energy Offers Significant Benefits And Savings
Large scale solar energy projects are still relatively new, generating the usual uncertainty among those who have yet to become converts. If the experience of Pennsylvania real estate developer L.A. Davis is any indication, putting aside those fears and embracing solar energy use in homes, commercial buildings and multi-family properties offers significant benefits – and savings -- to both property owners and their tenants.
Davis, who has been developing real estate for two decades, has spent the last four years retrofitting properties in Pittsburgh and Washington D.C. to improve energy efficiency. Installation of solar panels to help power heating and cooling systems and generate hot water has brought down not only his energy bills as a property owner, but dramatically decreased the monthly utility bills of his low-income tenants.
Davis’ actions go against the main stream. Because tenants usually pay their own utility bills, most property owners are not motivated to reduce energy costs or improve the energy efficiency of their properties. Davis calls this short-sighted thinking. Davis said providing more affordable housing for his tenants has resulted in a greater number of long-term tenants, fewer costly evictions and utility reconnections and decreased legal fees. He says his investment in energy-efficient solar energy has paid off financially and in improved tenant relations. Davis shares his experience, know-how and advice with other landlords on www.SolarLandlord.com.
Get Started With An Energy Saving Solar Water Heater
Lorain County homeowners who are ready to embrace solar power can get started with an energy-saving solar water heater. Call your Lorain County plumbing professional to discuss installation of a solar water heater today.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jul 23, 2010
Solar Energy On The Rise In Ohio
West of Lorain County, in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, rows of solar panels line what used to be cornfields in the biggest solar energy project yet in Ohio. The 80-acre solar complex being financed by American Municipal Power is expected to produce 12 megawatts of power. The Columbus-based non-profit utility company has plans to grow this initial investment 25 fold, within the next few years creating the nation’s largest solar power grid with a capacity to produce 300 megawatts of electricity across several states.
Solar energy is experiencing a tremendous growth spurt. AMP, which provides power for many municipalities in Ohio and neighboring states, is just one of the players jumping on the solar band wagon. AMP is focusing on creating alternative power sources to serve peak demand periods such as the summer air conditioning season when electrical use – and expense to consumers – skyrockets. By creating cheaper solar power to handle critical use periods, AMP expects to bring down the cost of electrical power for its consumers.
Solar energy engineers say the idea is definitely doable. Ohio receives an average 4 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of sun per day, ample to effectively power photovoltaic panels, particularly in the summer. According to the Department of Energy, the average U.S. household uses 11,040 kwh of electricity per year, or about 30 kwh per day. At that rate, about 80 square feet of solar panels would be required to power one Lorain County home for a year. However, meeting the needs of summer peak use and using the higher kilowatt-hour output of the summer sun would require fewer solar panels.
Try Out A Solar Water Heater
Solar water heaters now available to Lorain County residents require only a minor solar panel installation to provide year-round hot water. Professional installation is required for these complex systems, but they easily pay for themselves within 7 years after which all of your hot water is free!